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Day 01. Arrive at Paro:
Upon arrival at Paro airport, received by representative of
Bhutan travel agent, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02. Paro Sightseeing:
After breakfast, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong, now
in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to
commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644;
the dzong name's means indeed " victorious Druk ". The Dzong
was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire
caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu
Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred monasteries
dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century
and then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses
administrative offices. After lunch visit the Ta dzong, an
ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national
museum of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 03. Paro - Shana (Start of Trek):
Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the
Paro river and we pass cultivated fields and tiny
picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous
birds and brightly coloured butterflies. Overnight at camp
Shana. Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
Day 04. Shana - Thangthangka:
The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area
with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and
the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a
junction enroute, where another path leads north over the
Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7 - 8 hours.
Day 05. Thangthangka - Jangothang:
In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail
slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a
beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak
herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of
yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari
base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp and
visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to
guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude 4,115 m;
Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
Day 06. Jangothang (Acclimatization):
Rest day at Jangothang, enjoy the superb view all around.
Day 07. Jangothang - Lingshi:
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses
the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the
first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari, Jichu
Drakey and Tsrim Ghang. Then walk towards the valley, almost
flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyeley la pass at
an altitude of 4,700 meters. After the pass it's a gradual
descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panorama view of
the peaks and Lingshi dzong. Camp altitude is 4000 meters.
Walking time 7-8 hours.
Day 08. Lingshi - Chebisa:
Walk past the Lingshi dzong, perched on the hilltop with a
commanding view of green hill, the Winding River and
magnificent peaks. This is a very easy day and a pleasant
walk, through villages and yak herders camps. Lunch will be
at scenic Goyuna village. After lunch, a short walk will
reach you to Chebisa village. We camp here by the side of
stream at an altitude of 3,850 meters. Walking time 5-6
hours.
Day 09. Chebisa - Shomuthang:
Today begins with a stiff climb up a ridge to Gubula pass at
an altitude of 4,500 meters, taking nearly 4 hours to the
top. After the pass descend to a lunch spot, through
rhododendron bushes. Afternoon continue along the up and
down path, after crossing the stream, through rhododendron
forests and yak herders camps. You may see herds of Blue
sheep now and then. Arrive at camp. Walking time 7-8 hours.
Day 10. Shomuthang - Robluthang:
The trek starts with a climb to Jari la pass at the altitude
of 4,600 meters. Then descend to Tsharijathang valley, the
summer residence of the rare Himalayan Takin (national
animal of Bhutan). From here we may have to cross the stream
and get wet, as most of the time the foot bridge is washed
away, After crossing the stream towards the left the trail
ascends till you reach Robluthang camp at an altitude of
4400meters, walking time 8-9 hours.
Day 11. Robluthang - Lemithang:
A long climb up to the shinje la pass (altitude 4900meters).
The views of the mountains from the pass are breathtaking.
After the pass descend to Lemithang. The path is quit narrow
and you may have to cross the stream and get wet again. The
last part of the trek is very interesting, with the view of
Mount Gangchey Ta peak. Arrive at camp at an altitude 4100
meters.
Day 12. Lemithang - Laya:
In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchey Ta
peak in front of you. The walk to laya is very pleasant with
wonderful views. You will pass through a damp forest, filled
with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the
second highest settlement in the country, at an altitude of
3,800 meter. Walking time 5-6 hours.
Day 13. Rest day at Laya:
Explore around the village. You can go and visit any of the
houses around. By tradition one can go to any house without
an invitation. A cup of tea or Chang (local drink) is always
offered. The people in this village are very interesting
with a unique dress, language and ornaments.
Day 14: Laya - Rhodophu:
From Laya descend to army camp and continue following the
river till the turn off point to Rhodophu. After lunch
continue the climb through rhododendron bushes until the
camp. Altitude 4,350m. Walking time 8-9 hours.
Day 15. Rhodophu - Tarina:
This is the longest day of the trip and therefore very
essential to start very early. We start at 5 am by climbing
to Tsimola (4700m) After crossing the first pass and at the
little summit one can have a superb view of Lunana,
Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. This path is flat for another
four hours till the climb to Gangla Karchula pass (5,080m).
The view from the pass is breathtaking. The whole range of
mountains, including Masagang, Tsendegang, Teri Gang can be
seen, after the pass there is a very long descent to Tarina
valley. Altitude 3,980m. Walking time 10-11 hours.
Day 16. Tarina - Woche:
The day is much easier as the path follows the river down
valley. Lunch at the lowest point (3500m). After lunch climb
up about 300 meters to the village of Woche. Altitude
3,800m. Walking time 6-7 hours.
Day 17. Woche - Lhedi:
The Trek starts through juniper and fir forests and then
through rhododendron bushes. We climb up to Keche la pass
(4,480m) where one can have a great view of the mountains.
After the pass, descend to the river walking through the
village with stunning views of Table Mountain and others.
Follow the river, one of the main source of Phochu, till
Lhedi village. Altitude 3,650m.
Day 18. Lhedi - Thanza:
The trek continues following the river, rising gradually to
Choejong village. After lunch visit the Choejong dzong and
continue towards the wide valley. Cross the bridge to reach
Thanza camp 4,000m. Walking time 7/8 hours.
Day 19. Thanza - Tsorim:
The trek starts with climb up to the ridge with great view
of the Table Mountain and Thanza valley below, The ridge
altitude is 4,500 m and rises gradually up to 4,650m near by
the foot bridge. After lunch walk up towards the left side
of the bridge enjoying the views of the snow peaked
mountains. Climb up ridge after ridge until you reach the
camp at Tsorim at the altitude of 5, 150m. Then down to the
camp at 5125m. Walking time 8-9 hours.
Day 20. Tshorim - Gangkar Puensum base camp:
This is the highest of the trip and we start the day with a
short climb to the Tshorim lakes. Walk on the side of the
lake enjoying the panoramic views of the Gophula ranges. The
last climb to Gophula pass (5,230m) is very short. After the
pass descend to the base camp walking along the ridge. Enjoy
the great view of Gangkar Puensum. Those with a lot of
energy can divert to the left side to climb up the Pyramid
Peak for better view. Others can go down to the base camp
nearly Sha Chu at the altitude of 4,970m. Walking times 6-7
hours.
Day 21:
Rest day at the base camp, enjoy the great view.
Day 22. Base camp - Geshe woma:
Time to leave the beautiful mountains, but the trek is far
from over. The path follows the Sha Chu and descends
gradually to Geshe woma at the altitude of 4,200m. Walking
time 6-8 hours.
Day 23. Geshe woma - Warathang:
The path continues following shachu for two and a half hours
until the stiff climb to Sakala begins. Visibility along the
Sakala trail is poor so one must watch the top of the ridge
for guidance. Lunch nearby a yak herder's camp. After lunch
climb up to Sakala pass at the altitude 4,800m. Descend to
the lakes and another short ascent to Wartangle pass
(4,590m). The scenery once again is stunning with small
lakes and mountain peaks. Camp at the altitude of 4,000m.
Walking time 8-9 hours.
Day 24. Warathang - Dur Tsachu:
A short half hour climb to Juelela (4,400m). After the pass
descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper
and conifer forest. After the bridge a little climb to Dur
Tsachu hot spring, where Guru Padmasambava is supposed to
have bathed in the 8th hot spring. Walking time 5 hours.
Day 25. Dur Tsachu -Tshochenchen:
Today we go across the last pass of the trip (Juelela pass).
From the stream it is along and steady climb again with
great views of the mountains in Lunana. One comes blue lakes
and yak herders camps to arrive at the Thochechen camp at an
altitude of 3,850m. Walking time 8-9 hours.
Day 26. Tshochenchen - Dur - Jakar:
This is the last day of the trek. Here we change from yak to
pack ponies for carting trekking gear. The path follows the
Chamkhar Chu, descending gradually with few climbs. The trek
ends when you arrive at Dhur village.
Day 27. Jakar - Wangdi:
Start early to visit some of the famous monasteries in
Bumthang and drive to Trongsa (70km) for lunch at local
hotel. After lunch drive to Wangdi (130km) via Pelela.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 28. Drive to Thimphu: (68km)
Afternoon free time for shopping.
Day 29. Paro (Departure):
Drive to Airport and farewell. |
